Things Every Commuter Student Should Know

Many Americans commute more than one hundred hours a year to work and school. Caitlin Bosser, a student at the College of Westchester, knows the drill all too well. One a good day, she makes it to campus in forty-five minutes. With traffic, however, it can take her upwards of an hour-and-a-half. And that’s just one way. To try to make things easier, Caitlin prefers to coordinate her class and work schedules so she can get everything done in one day. “I come down, go to school, go to work, go home,” she says.

It takes a lot of energy to balance an education with other important parts of your life. Though these won’t shrink your commute from ninety minutes to ninety seconds, here are some helpful tips to help make it easier. 

- Getting to and from school takes time. Build travel into your schedule.

If you have a class at noon and you know that it usually takes you an hour to get to campus, give yourself enough time to get there. If necessary, leave a little earlier in case of traffic.

-Be aware of your school’s parking regulations and follow them.

Because no one like finding a parking ticket at the end of a busy day.

-Fuel is expensive. Budget accordingly.

In light of rising fuel costs, many people have to cut more corners to afford their commute. Consider your options and prioritize. Do you really need that five-dollar pumpkin-gingerbread-caramel soy mochaccino every day?

-Consider Public Transportation.

Not only will you save money, you may even have a chance to catch up on reading or homework while in transit. It’s also better for the environment. Find out what mass transit stations are located near your school and find one that works for you. Familiarize yourself with schedules so you can plan your trip around your course schedule.

-Plan ahead.

If you know you’re going to be out for the entire day, pack the school materials you’re going to need that day, as well as snacks to keep you going. If you go to work after class, bring a change of clothes if necessary. 

-Get involved on campus.

Meeting people you meet through clubs, organizations, and other activities will help you make connections and develop long-lasting friendships. It’s likely that many of your fellow students are also constantly on the go, and having friends at school will help keep you sane and grounded.

-And lastly, be realistic with yourself.

No one be everywhere at once. Don’t stress yourself out trying to “do it all.”